Week 14

I've been so busy running that i haven't posted to this site at all. ;)

it's been an interesting trip to Week 14. I, too, have had hip issues. weak glutes, they said. i have an ass you can hide an elephant behind, so i'm not sure why it's so weak. but i felt like with every speed workout i was slogging through tapioca. and that someone was stabbing me in the butt cheeks. or in the hips. so in addition to weak glutes, i also was diagnosed with High Hamstring Tendinitis (why tendInitis and not tendOnitis? anyway). so running has really brought these issues to the forefront.

i told diane that regardless of how this training goes, i was planning on getting across that finish line, even if i have to crawl. that will probably give me knee problems as well. you just can't win when you push your body this hard.

i have found that doing PT, doing the speed workouts on Thursdays, doing the long runs on Sundays, but not much else during the week has been a good formula for me. we're ordinarily supposed to do another 40-50 run and crosstrain (weight lift, cycle, swim, etc.). but if i do all of that, my body can't do the long runs very well. this marathon thing isn't going to be a life style thing for me, so i figure as long as i can keep up with the distance and the PT then i'll be OK. i'm sure a lot of people out there would disagree, but you've got to run your own race. and i did 16 miles last week with no problems. (i'm knocking on all of the wood i can find at this moment.)

we have a cutback week this week, only 10 miles on sunday. the next sunday will be 18 miles. and then, on September 16, we all will run 20 miles. 20 freakin' miles. it will take all damn day. this is really what drive me nuts about all of this running... the time it takes. i've never been really good at training and i'm even worse at mindless shit that takes hours and hours. the 20 miler will probably take 5 hours. but then i tell myself, what else would i be doing with that time? probably sleeping. and it's not like i have a job. might as well enjoy the camaraderie while i still can.

so, recap: hip pain, hamstring tendinitis, runner's knee, lots of time on the feet. in a little over a month, this will all be over.

and don't even get me starting on the farting and bloating that comes after a run. you would think i could propel myself over the finish line.

and then Diane and I will join Winter Warriors. i guess we really hate ourselves that much. ;)

12 Lessons Learned in 12 Weeks

These past 12 weeks of training have flown by in a whirlwind of sore muscles, ravenous hunger, and feats of physical accomplishments. Today on my long run I took a few minutes (miles?) to reflect on what I've learned these past weeks, and here's what I've come up with.

1. My body can do amazing things. I remember saying to others (not too long ago) there was no way I could ever run more than 6 miles. Turns out I can. Every week. And I increase that mileage weekly.

2. I have never know hunger like I know now. I am hungry all the time. In the last week alone, I found myself daydreaming about what I was going to eat for dinner while I was eating lunch. I am an insatiable food collection device.

3. You will discuss all manner of things with your pace group. Never has a group of veritable strangers come together so quickly as when facing an 11 mile run. Nothing is sacred, and all manner of topics are covered.

4. I have never discussed so many private bodily functions with complete strangers before. Poop. Farts. Pee color. Pee urgency. Sweat. Farts that are actually poops. Blisters. Blood. Nipples. Chub Rub. Chafing. Everything is fair game. There are people I know the potty habits of but have yet to get their name.

5. Mantras work. Really. Sometimes the only thing that keeps you going is telling yourself over and over that you can do it. I believe I can, so I do.

6. Chafing: it's a thing. Oh, the horrors of the chub rub. I have fallen victim of this, and it sucks. And now Vaseline is my friend.

7. It actually does matter what you eat if you want to run well. While my eating habits are far from good, I've had to plan meals out better to have energy for my run. Turns out that "eating healthy will make you feel better" thing is real. Who knew?

8. Nothing tastes better than a full breakfast after a long run. Oh, the post-run pancakes, eggs, etc. They are glorious. See also: Starbucks Bacon & Gouda sandwiches. Also see also: carb loading the night before a long run (i.e., pre-run pancakes).

8a. The shower beer is a thing, and it is amazing. Admittedly, my shower beer is actually a shower green tea lemonade, but the concept is the same. Taking a beer into the shower? Why is that a thing? Now I get it. It's totally a thing, and you'll only get it if you do it.

9. You will get seduced by all the gear. There is no way I need goodr glasses (I need prescription lenses), Garmin watches (I don't know if I'll continue distance running after this), or expensive recovery gear (my grid roller and a tennis ball are sufficient.) But that doesn't mean I don't want it. At least while I'm still at the running store.

10. It takes a village to run a marathon. (Apologies to Hillary for the stolen concept.) You need tons of support and encouragement to do this, or believe me, you'd never do it. The training is long, sacrifices are many, and the body is stretched to the breaking point. But people telling you that you can do this, asking how the week's long run went, and generally offering words of encouragement (even if they're sprinkled in with a generous helping of "you're insane for doing this" make you really believe that finishing this crazy race is possible.

11. There is no time commitment like running a marathon. What am I doing this weekend? Running. How does my Thursday night look for a get-together? Sorry, I can't. I'm running. Want to grab a drink at Cellar Door? Nope. No go. I have to run tomorrow, so I can't lose myself in the booze. Maybe after October 8th. At this point, I am simply looking forward to sleeping in on a Sunday morning and consuming a ton of red wine. But not yet. Not until the race is over.

In 62 days, I will be a marathoner. I can't even believe it.